PDFHubs vs iLovePDF vs Smallpdf - 2026 Comparison
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PDFHubs vs iLovePDF vs Smallpdf - 2026 Comparison

PDFHubs Team
January 7, 2026

Detailed comparison of the top free PDF tools. See which PDF editor offers the best features, limits, and pricing.

Choosing the Best Free PDF Tool

Three popular PDF tools compared: PDFHubs, iLovePDF, and Smallpdf. Which is right for you?

Quick Comparison

FeaturePDFHubsiLovePDFSmallpdf
Pricing100% FreeFreemiumFreemium
Free LimitsNoneLimited2 tasks/day
RegistrationNot requiredRequired for fullRequired
WatermarksNeverOn free tierOn free tier
Tool Count19+25+20+
ProcessingBrowser (secure)ServerServer

PDFHubs Advantages

100% Free - No Catch

  • No daily limits
  • No watermarks
  • No registration required
  • All features available free

Privacy-Focused

  • Files never uploaded to servers
  • All processing happens in browser
  • Maximum security and privacy

Fast and Reliable

  • No waiting for server processing
  • Instant results
  • Works offline once loaded

iLovePDF Overview

Pros

  • Large selection of tools
  • Good conversion quality
  • Batch processing

Cons

  • Requires registration for most features
  • Limited free tier
  • Uploads files to servers
  • Premium: €7/month

Smallpdf Overview

Pros

  • Clean interface
  • Good quality output
  • Some unique tools

Cons

  • Only 2 free tasks per day
  • Adds watermarks on free tier
  • Premium: $12/month
  • Uploads files to servers

Feature-by-Feature Comparison

PDF Merge

PDFHubsiLovePDFSmallpdf
Free limitNoneLimited2/day
Max files202520
QualityExcellentExcellentExcellent

PDF Compress

PDFHubsiLovePDFSmallpdf
Free limitNoneLimited2/day
CompressionUp to 90%Up to 75%Up to 75%
Quality options3 levels3 levels1 level

PDF to Word

PDFHubsiLovePDFSmallpdf
Free limitNone1/hour2/day
OCR supportYesYesYes
AccuracyExcellentGoodGood

Who Should Use Each Tool?

Use PDFHubs If:

  • You want truly free, unlimited PDF tools
  • Privacy is important to you
  • You need frequent PDF tasks

Use iLovePDF If:

  • You don't mind registration
  • You need batch processing features
  • You're okay with occasional limits

Use Smallpdf If:

  • You only need occasional PDF tasks (1-2/day)
  • You're willing to pay for premium
  • You prefer their specific interface

Conclusion

For most users, PDFHubs offers the best combination:

  • Truly free (no limits, no watermarks)
  • Maximum privacy (browser-based)
  • All essential tools included
  • No registration required
Why pay or deal with limits when PDFHubs gives you everything free?

Tags:
PDFHubs vs iLovePDF
PDFHubs vs Smallpdf
PDF tool comparison
best PDF tool
free PDF tools

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